The White Ribbon Advocates Programme is one of several planned activities within a comprehensive framework of action to improve gender mainstreaming across the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
11 March 2011: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) has announced the launch of its White Ribbon Advocates Programme, to coincide with International Women’s Day. The initiative involves staff volunteers speaking out on the need for gender equality and an end to violence against women.
According to SPC, the Programme was launched in acknowledgement of the continued widespread discrimination and gender-based violence in the Pacific region. SPC stresses the important role of men in the Programme, to act as role models for other men, condemning discrimination and violence. As part of the Programme, volunteers will receive training and wear a white ribbon at all meetings, functions and workshops that they attend.
SPC also will offer support to other regional organisations interested in the White Ribbon Advocacy Programme and provide them with relevant material and briefings for distribution to their own advocates.
The White Ribbon Advocates Programme is one of several planned activities within a comprehensive framework of action to improve gender mainstreaming across the SPC. [SPC Press Release]